Info Tabs

Passion. Irony. Weirdness. Melody. These are some of the core elements of The Melismatics’ sound that has been developed over the past decade through intense recording, heavy touring, and an inhuman intake of caffeinated beverages. With six albums under their belt thus far, The Melismatics have been constantly evolving their own stylings of post-punk and indie-rock.

Exhibit #1: Ruby Dan Geller, Kindercore Records’ CEO and founder of electro tag team, I am the World Trade Center, is one of America’s few breakdancing DJs with a masters degree in Biological Engineering. Exhibit #2: Ruby Aaron Lemay’s spy themed punk outfit, “International Espionage” has been busted up by the cops at house shows and basement concerts from Redding, CA to Brooklyn, NYC. Exhibit #3: Ruby Mark Mallman’s 70s and 80s arena rock post-mortemism has earned him a silver star on the side of the biggest nightclub in Minneapolis, a world record, over 20 US tours, and a permanent hangover.

Gaelynn Lea is a musician from Duluth, MN. She has been playing violin for over twenty years. First classically trained, she began learning traditional Celtic and American fiddle tunes at the age of 18. During her college years Gaelynn started sitting in with various folk/rock musicians and developed an improvisational style all her own. Eventually she also began singing and dabbling in songwriting. Gaelynn has played alongside many notable Minnesota musicians over the years, including Alan Sparhawk, Charlie Parr, and Billy McLaughlin.

Assembled in 2011, Minneapolis rock quartet Sleep Study has lived up to high expectations set by their dedicated followers and the media. The band’s unapologetic dedication to their modern take on a 70’s pop sound has earned them continued press from news outlets in their home state and beyond. Their single “Flower Girl” was nominated for an Independent Music Award and the band was recently named by Paste Magazine as one of 12 Minnesota Bands You Should Listen to Now.

Maudlin is the longstanding creative project of husband and wife duo David and Priscilla Priebe. The couple came together while playing in a high school band. Taking its name, they settled in Minneapolis. The band signed with a Canadian indie label and briefly toured internationally under their support. Upon returning home in 2005 and independently releasing “The Penitent Never Regret,” their first US commercial release which fared well in the CMJ Charts.

A series of YouTube videos, each one more precious than the last, paint Minneapolis’ Savannah Smith as a ukulele-slinging Jack Johnson disciple—particularly in an adorable take on “Bitter Heart” by Zee Avi (who’s on Johnson’s Brushfire Records), aided by some smirking, unofficial sign language from her roommate. But the seriousness Smith shows when performing her own songs, like the punchy “Ventriloquism,” nicely balances her jazz-informed cooing and displays a talent for lyrical density that raises her simple melodies. [AV Club, January 2011]

Martin Devaney has always embraced his local identity, literally dubbed the Mayor of St. Paul by friends and compatriots in the music scene. A classically trained musician with a jazz sax background, the accomplished singer-songwriter got his start playing with revered hip-hop ensemble Heiruspecs before embarking on a solo career. After self-releasing an EP in 2001, Martin followed with four full-length albums, each garnering more praise and attention from press and fans.

"If you don't wanna be with me, you don't gotta be with me," Twin Citian Dan Israel sings plaintively on his new release Dan, his 13th studio album of original material. It's the sound of someone finally letting go, after years of holding on to a hope that is quite simply never going to materialize. It's the sound of acceptance, and it's not all "hang-your-head" stuff either - there is liberation here, despite the tears.

I am a 17 year old singer/songwriter from small town Wisconsin. Growing up, I was the girl who wanted to do everything all at once. I switched off between gymnastics, competition dance, and volleyball. When I was just about 13, I decided I would add one more thing to the rotation - music. Because sticking to one thing at a time really wasn't my thing, my parents thought borrowing my uncle's old guitar was probably a better idea than buying a brand new one. After about 3 weeks of lessons, I was absolutely hooked. So, to the guitar shop we went. For my 13th birthday, I got my all time favorite gift, my baby blue Fender acoustic guitar.

Minneapolis rock legend, Mark Mallman has created a masterwork that turns the classic concept album on its head. The End Is Not The End was released March 25, 2016 on Polkadot Mayhem. In this age of cynicism, with too many people believing rock is dead, comes a sincere telling of an emotional trial we all must face at some point. Mark Mallman has created a 21st century Scary Monsters, except this time, the good guy wins.

Timmy Williams is a comedian and actor best known for his work with sketch comedy group The Whitest Kids U' Know, who are best known for their self-titled TV Show on IFC, which is best known for showing Harvey Keitel movies and dirty sketch comedy shows. Timmy has performed stand-up all over the country and has also been seen on Adult Swim and Tru TV's World's Dumbest. Timmy is also the only person you know that lives in South Dakota.